HENRY COUNTY, Va (WFXR) – The Henry County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested a man from Ridgeway after an ongoing online child sex abuse investigation that began in August 2024.
On August 28, an investigation began when a tip regarding possible child sex abuse was received by the Southern Virginia Internet Against Children Task (SOVA-ICAC) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The tip allegedly identified material that was sent by private messages on a social media platform depicting suspected child sexual abuse.
After allegedly linking the messages to an IP address through a request for emergency disclosure, investigators obtained a court order for subscriber information and allegedly confirmed the account belonged to 36-year-old Nicholas Sean Trumble of Ridgeway.
On Wednesday, November 20, the Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on Glen Oak Circle in Ridgeway. During the search, a cellular phone in Trumble’s name was allegedly seized.
On Tuesday, November 26, forensic examinations of the device allegedly revealed downloaded images and videos of children being sexually abused.
Trumble was then taken into custody by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, November 27.
36-year-old Nicholas Sean Trumble has been charged with the following:
- 1-Counts of 18.2-374.1:1 Possession of Child Pornography (1st offense)
- 17- Counts of 18.2-374.1:1 Possession of Child Pornography ( 2nd or subsequent offense)
Trumble is currently being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.